6 Tools Every Cyclist Should Own

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Year: 2017

Even cyclists need handyman tools to maintain their cycles. But whatever it is, make sure you get only from the best––Healthyhandyman. The following are the six essential tools you need as a cyclist.

Floor Pump

It’s pretty obvious that you need this tool. Before any journey or race, you should make sure that all tires are set and ready to carry your weight wherever it is you want to go.

Chain Tool

There will come a time when you have to get rid of your old chain and replace it with a new one. Of course, you’ll be needing a chain tool to remove the link and put on a chain. You’ll also need when a link is stuck. This lightweight handyman tool isn’t even heavy enough to slow you down while you ride.

Tire Levers

This wide, flat blade made of hard plastic is one of your tires’ best friends. It’ll make it easier for you to change tires with a lever. If you’re using Mavic wheels, however, it’s ideal to replace tires using Mavic levers. Well, it generally depends on what brand of tire you own.

Multitool

Cyclist or not, you’ll need a multitool wherever you go. A palm-sized multitool can be handy and convenient for emergencies, and trust me; you’ll be glad you’re always bringing one around. Most of them include differently sized of Torx and hex keys, a screwdriver, a chain tool, and different sizes of wrenches.

Hex Keys

If you don’t own hex keys and you call yourself a cyclist, you’re probably not taking cycling seriously. It’s evident that you need hex or Allen keys. There are sets tailored for bicycles, but those found in hardware stores can do the trick as long as they’re high-quality. You can get any brand you wish, but Bondhus is the most popular one because of the accessibility and versatility it offers. If you’re about to get your first hex keys, you should get the following sizes in mm: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10.

Gear Clean Brush

And of course, you need to keep your gear clean at all costs! A gear clean brush has two ends—one can get inside the cogs of your cassette, while the other can get rid of buildup from the crank arms, derailleur pulleys, so on and so forth. You need to get this. After all, you have to treat your gear as if it’s your own body. So keep it clean.

“There are four kinds of people in the world, Ms. Harper. Those who build walls. Those who protect walls. Those who breach walls. And those who tear down walls. Much of life is discovering who you are. When you find out, you also realize there are places you can no longer go, things you can no longer do, words you can no longer say.” – P.S. Baber, Cassie Draws the Universe

The discipline to carry on and keep moving forward despite obstacles is one of the things that get things done. It helps you stick to a goal regardless of how boring or tough it may get at times. To succeed at anything, you need to improve self-discipline and integrate it into your daily life. The other side of the wall for you could literally or figuratively take you to a new path. And the only way to get past the proverbial wall is to work your way over, through, or around it. To develop the self-discipline to do that is discipline at work. And when you take on the challenge, you prepare yourself to become better at dealing with life’s many surprises and difficulties.

Develop self-awareness. To improve self-discipline, you need to assess problem areas in your life that would require some adjustments or changes for the better. Reflect on what aspects of your life are lacking in self-discipline. Gaining more insights about your thoughts and behaviors can help you address whatever it is that hinders you from being more self-disciplined.

Practice big-picture thinking. Think about your long-term goals and how your current lack of self-discipline can affect your chances of achieving them. Focus your mind on the big picture. Realizing how current behaviors can influence your life, in the long run, can propel you to effect some changes in your life to improve your self-discipline.

Riding a bike is more than just getting active. It’s something you do to learn the real value of being healthy. Riding a bike is also more than just an outdoor activity. It’s something you do to see the real worth of Mother Nature.

That being said, you need to experience more when cycling.

Here are some ways:

Upgrade your bike and gears.

One thing you shouldn’t take for granted when riding bicycles? It’s having bicycle upgrades at least once a year. The reason for this is quite simple. This will allow you to ride more swiftly and smoothly. This will also allow you to ride comfortably, even as you feel the warm sun shining down on your body, and to ride conveniently, even as you feel the cool wind blowing up on your face.

Ride all over parks.

If you think riding bicycles can only be experienced more along the highway, think again. Riding bicycles all over parks is also a great way to experience more of this outdoor activity. This is not just for you to realize what life has to offer as you pass by normal roads, but also for you to appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer as you pass by scenic views.

Cycle with your loved ones.

As they say: the more, the merrier. In the case of riding bicycles, the more riders you have with you, the more things you’ll get to experience. It could be as easy as riding with your little nephews along a safe highway while looking out the wonderful buildings across or as tough as riding with your older cousins along a challenging trail while looking around the lush trees towering above.

Any other tips and ideas to experience more when cycling? Let us know in the comments section below!

Introduction

Cycle to the Summit is a bicycling blog. It is about biking on roads and trails for fitness, leisure, and recreation. It features bicycling destinations, scenic routes, cycling adventures, bike tours, bicycle commute, and more. On this site you will also find topics about bicycle tourism, green living, and bike riding resources for cycling enthusiasts.